Anna Jagiellon

Getting around

Common and Noble Modes of Travel

Ordinary people often traveled on foot or in simple carts called kolasa, whereas wealthy nobles frequently traveled on horseback or in carriages known as kolebka, which were suspended on leather straps for comfort.

Daily life

Modest wooden homes with open fires

Peasant families lived in modest wooden houses that usually consisted of a single room containing a stove for heating and cooking. Some households in Samogitia used a traditional 'numas' structure, which featured an open fireplace instead of a stove.

What people wore

Layered clothing of the middle class

Women wore a long linen undergarment called a giezło, often topped with a dress that was laced at the sides, while men wore linen shirts and shorts known as gacie. Household tools like keys, purses, and needle cases were often attached to a woman's belt.

Music

Performers in city inns

In the 16th century, musicians called igrcy sang lighthearted and sometimes ribald songs in city inns, which were heavily criticized and discouraged by the clergy.

At the table

Beer as everyday beverage

Beer was the main everyday beverage for many, often brewed domestically, while mead was also consumed, though less frequently than beer.